Find and replace across files in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

This feature helps you quickly find specific text or elements in multiple Figma files and replace them all at once. It saves time when you need to update names, labels, or styles across many designs.

When you want to update a brand name used in several design files.

When you need to change a color code or style name across multiple projects.

When you want to fix a typo that appears in many files.

When you want to replace placeholder text with final content in all your designs.

When you want to standardize component names across different files.

Steps

Step 1: Open the Figma desktop app or web app

- Figma home screen

You see your list of recent files and projects

Step 2: Click on the search bar at the top

- Figma main toolbar

A search panel opens allowing you to search across files

Step 3: Type the text you want to find

- Search input field

Figma shows a list of all instances of that text across your files

Step 4: Click the 'Replace' button next to the search input

- Search panel

A replace input field appears below the search input

Step 5: Type the replacement text

- Replace input field

You prepare to replace all found instances with this new text

Step 6: Click 'Replace All'

- Search panel

All instances of the found text across your files are replaced with the new text

Step 7: Review the changes in your files

- Each affected file

You see the updated text or elements reflecting your replacements

Before vs After

Before

The text 'OldBrand' appears in 5 different files in titles and labels

After

The text 'OldBrand' is replaced with 'NewBrand' in all 5 files automatically

Settings Reference

Search scope

📍 Search panel dropdown

Choose where to search and replace text

Default: Current file

Match case

📍 Search panel checkbox

Search text with exact uppercase and lowercase matching

Default: Off

Match whole word

📍 Search panel checkbox

Search only whole words, not parts of words

Default: Off

Common Mistakes

Replacing text without checking the search scope

You might replace text only in the current file when you wanted to update all files

Always verify and set the search scope to 'All files in project' or 'All files in team' if needed

Not using 'Match case' when needed

You might miss replacing text that has different capitalization

Enable 'Match case' if you want to replace text exactly as typed

Summary

Find and replace across files lets you update text or elements in many Figma files quickly.

Set the correct search scope to control where replacements happen.

Use match case and whole word options to refine your search and avoid mistakes.